Pitzer College | Robert Redford Conservancy
Introba provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and sustainability services for Pitzer College's Robert Redford Conservancy in Claremont, CA, United States.
Built in 1931, the Robert Redford Conservancy occupies the renovated historical infirmary building near the Pitzer College campus, one of the original Pomona College buildings. The Conservancy is a hub for sustainable research and discovery—the complex features laboratories and traditional indoor and open-air outdoor classrooms. The design team retained the historic mission style of the infirmary, and Introba (formerly Integral Group) worked with the architect to incorporate passive design strategies into the project.
Introba participated in the programming phase of this project and provided MEP design and sustainability services for this renovation. Sustainable features include daylighting, thermal massing, natural ventilation, as well as photovoltaic arrays, the inclusion of skylight wells that also act as thermal chimneys, punched windows with spectrally selective glazing, and slow-moving large-blade ceiling fans.
Goals for the project included using the building renovation as a model of regenerative design. The college wanted to renovate the former infirmary respectfully, considering the site's ecological aspects. Passive design elements are inherent to the original design, and building reuse reduced construction and demolition waste to the landfill by 95%. The project supports scientific, artistic, and ecological uses by weaving the site and building together, and in this way, the Conservancy acts as a living eco-lab.
Project Highlights
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Historical renovation of infirmary building, an original Pomona College building
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Acts as a hub for sustainable research; features laboratories and indoor and open-air outdoor classrooms
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Sustainable features include daylighting, thermal massing, natural ventilation, as well as photovoltaic arrays
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Skylight wells act as thermal chimneys, punched windows with spectrally selective glazing, and slow-moving large-blade ceiling fans all enhance occupant comfort and energy savings
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Building reuse reduced construction and demolition waste to the landfill by 95%